Sicily's West Coast

Discover the history, culture and passion of Sicily’s West Coast

Discover Western Sicily

Southern Italy is a glorious place to visit, but if you’re like me, you’ll want to get out of the city and onto the coast as soon as possible. The Amalfi Coast, the Cilento National Park, the island of Capri: these are just some of the highlights in this part of Italy. And while each one is beautiful in its own right, there’s something special about Sicily’s western coastline that makes it worth exploring further than just one day trip or weekend vacation. It’s not hard to see why people have been coming here for thousands of years—and why they’ll continue to do so for centuries more!

Palermo

Palermo is the capital city of Sicily, a region in Italy. There is so much history here that you could easily spend months exploring it all!

Palermo is known for its beautiful architecture and churches. There are also many museums and art galleries where you can see the history, culture, and art of this island nation.

If food is your passion then you should come here because there are many great restaurants serving traditional Sicilian cuisine such as pasta sagne e fichi (pasta with sausages and figs), caponata di melanzane (eggplant salad), arancine alla siciliana (fried rice balls with tomato sauce)

Cefalu

Cefalù, in the province of Palermo on Sicily’s Mediterranean coast, is the most important tourist resort on the island. The town has a population of around 16000 and it’s known for its beaches and natural setting. With its medieval quarter, cathedral (dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta), residences built by Norman kings and a castle overlooking the sea from great heights it is one of Sicily’s most interesting cities.

Cefalù was founded by Greek colonists between 729 and 664 BC as Ziz. It was later conquered by Carthage in 409 BC. In 263 BC it became a Roman colony under the name Julia Cephali; however it continued to use Greek coins until its destruction during wars between Agathocleses II and Hiero II in 270 BCE.”

Trapani

Trapani is a city in western Sicily, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Trapani. It is the second-largest city on the island after Palermo. The city has a beautiful harbor, and its old town is filled with narrow streets and winding alleys that are fun to explore. The surrounding area is also brimming with culture, history and natural beauty—and it’s all within easy reach.

The town’s origins date back to around 1000 BC with the founding of “Trapani”, originally named Drepana by Greeks. Prior to this, though, it was a Carthaginian trading post known as Drepanum. The inhabitants were referred to as Drepani or Drepanoi. The word trapanos, meaning “stake” and which gave rise to both Trapani’s modern name and its Italian name, derives from this period

Erice

Erice is one of the most beautiful and historic towns in Sicily, located at 750 meters above sea level. It has been continuously inhabited since the middle ages, when it became a fortified city. The town contains a castle, cathedral and botanical garden that are all part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list. It also has a thermal spa with hot springs.

The best way to get up there is by cable car—an incredible ride over the Mediterranean Sea that takes you into this hilltop village where you can see 360 degree views around you!

Scopello

Scopello is a small town on the north coast of Sicily. It’s popular among tourists because it offers great views, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to explore.

For example, there are two beaches in Scopello: “Pizzo di Cuddura” and “Cala Grande”. The latter has been voted one of Italy’s most beautiful bays by various magazines and websites. You’ll enjoy watching boats passing by or going out on your own boat trip from here as well!

If you’d like some more exercise before dinner, take advantage of the hiking trails along hills overlooking the bay. These paths are well-marked so you won’t get lost even if you don’t know exactly where they lead to yet!

San Vito lo Capo

San Vito lo Capo is a small town in western Sicily, which is popular with tourists and has many hotels catering to them. The town itself is quiet and relaxed, but it’s a good base for exploring the nearby beaches.

Riserva dello Zingaro

If you’re looking for a nature reserve that rivals the most beautiful national parks in the world, look no further than Riserva dello Zingaro. This protected area is situated on the southern coast of Sicily and encompasses over 3,000 hectares of land.

Riserva dello Zingaro was founded in 1959 and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 due to its exceptional natural beauty and cultural importance. The park is home to an array of wonderful plant species including olive trees, cypresses and many more examples of endemic flora—and it also boasts an impressive range of fauna too!

Marsala

Marsala is a city in the province of Trapani. It is known for its wine and beaches, as well as its Palazzo Reale and cathedral.

The main sights include the Palazzo Reale (royal palace) and cathedral.

Take a tour of the city on foot or by bicycle to get to know all its monuments: Piazza Unione Europea (Europe Square), Piazza Municipio (Town Hall Square), the bell tower of St Thomas’ Church and many others that mark out different eras in history.

Santa Flavia

Santa Flavia is a small town with a population of 2,200 and is considered one of the most important tourist destinations in Sicily. The town was founded in 1639 by Vincenzo Antonio Rago and its name derives from Saint Phoebe, after whom the parish church was named.

Santa Flavia has a long history of tourism and has been visited by many famous personalities including Benito Mussolini and Enrico Caruso. It also boasts many churches, including San Calogero (where you can see frescoes dating back to the 14th century), Santa Maria delle Grazie (which houses two paintings by Lorenzo Lotto) and San Francesco di Paola (a Baroque church).

Selinute

Selinute is a small town in the province of Trapani, on the west coast of Sicily. Selinute is popularly known as “the city of roses.” Selinus was an ancient Greek city founded by colonists from Megara Hyblaea. The ruins are located within a close-knit urban zone that also includes some remains dating back to prehistoric times. The town’s beach offers clear water with fine sand and little pebbles, making it ideal for swimming during summer months (June–September).

Visit Sicily's West Coast

If you’re looking for an unforgettable vacation spot in Sicily, western Sicily is the place to go. It has a wide range of beautiful landscapes and stunning beaches, plus plenty of history and culture for those who want it. All these destinations are easily accessible by car or public transportation, so there’s no reason not to plan a trip today!

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